Can I connect two monitors to my Asus VivoBook laptop? One via HDMI and one via USB C?
I just bought an Asus Vivobook. The specs stated that it came with the following ports:
- 2 USB 2.0 A
- 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 A
- 1 USB Gen 1 C
- 1 HDMI port
With this I assumed I'd be able to connect two monitors. The HDMI port works fine, however when I try to connect a monitor to the USB-C port (with a USB-C to HDMI converter), it does not work. The message I get is "Display Connection might be limited".
I was under the impression that USB-C supported display data, but apparently this requires some alt mode, which may or may not be available on my laptop (not sure how to find out). I am also not sure if the lack of this feature is what is causing my problem.
So my question is: Is there any way to connect two monitors (extended display, not duplicated) to my laptop, with the ports listed above?
Solution 1:
USB-C Supports display output as long as the motherboard is made to support having a display output on the USB C. Just because you have USB C does not mean you have USB C Alternate Modes which are required to allow DisplayPort or HDMI output.
Alternate Modes are optional; Type-C features and devices are not required to support any specific Alternate Mode. The USB Implementers Forum is working with its Alternate Mode partners to make sure that ports are properly labelled with respective logos.
Asus state that there should be an identifying mark near the USB port showing what Alternate modes it supports, or your computer manual should indicate support. They also advise that the website page for your model should tell you what outputs are supported:
The product specifications of the computer are provided on the ASUS Official Website. You can see the specifications of the interface in the interface area under the product specifications.
①[Search] your computer name, click ②[Tech specs] , you can see the USB Type-C in the range of ③[Interfaces] Technical specifications of the interface.
Lacking any explicitly mentioned support for DisplayPort or HDMI over USB C you might be able to use a more conventional USB DisplayLink adaptor which is essentially a display card in the USB adaptor, but performance will not be great.